Directions and Information for Application

Texas Christian UniversityCoordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) and Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

Department of Nutritional Sciences P.O. Box 298600

Fort Worth, TX 76129(817) 257-7309

Fax (817) 257-5849

The mission of the Department of Nutritional Sciences (NTDT) at Texas Christian University is to provide a distinctive program of study in all areas of nutrition and dietetics within a traditional liberal arts setting. The faculty of the department affirm their commitment to the education of broadly informed, scientifically competent, self-educating, and ethically responsible professionals who are capable of entering successful careers in nutrition and dietetics, and are cognizant of the needs of the community and society at large.

Accredited Dietetics Programs: The Texas Christian University Coordinated Program in Dietetics (Option I) and the Didactic Program in Dietetics (Option II) are currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND is the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics* and is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a Title IV gatekeeper. This recognition affirms that ACEND meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs. ACEND is also a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) and abides by its code of good practice. (*Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600).

Coordinated Program In Dietetics (Option I): The mission of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) is to support the missions of the University, college, and department by providing a quality academic curriculum with a concentration in Nutrition Education that prepares students to be scientifically competent, accountable, and ethically responsible citizens who are prepared to be productive, self-educating leaders within the dietetics profession and the global community at large.

Core knowledge for the Registered Dietitian (RD) emphasizes the scientific and evidence base of dietetics practice (integration of scientific information and research into practice), professional practice expectations (beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors for the professional dietitian level of practice), and clinical and customer service (development and delivery of information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations). The NTDT curriculum includes courses in human nutrition, food science, food and culture, community nutrition, food systems management, medical nutrition therapy, and nutrition research. These courses are based on a solid science and math background, which include general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, psychology, sociology, economics, and elementary statistics.

The supervised practice component of the CP involves working with food/nutrition/dietetics professionals to demonstrate competence in nutrition therapy, community nutrition, foodservice systems management, business/ entrepreneurial dietetics, and nutrition research in order to achieve the competencies of the RD. Students who successfully complete the TCU CP will receive verification and will be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians. A passing score allows graduates to qualify for active membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The two-year (junior/senior years) CP combines didactic course work with over 1200 hours of supervised practice. The program does not grant credit or supervised practice hours for prior learning, self-organized volunteer activities, or other self-organized professionally-related activities. The TCU CP has a Nutrition Education Concentration that builds on the core knowledge and competencies for the RD. This concentration is consistent with available resources and the need for nutrition education in the Fort Worth/Dallas area. Nutrition education has long been considered a focus and a strength of the TCU CP, and supervised practice experiences include varied opportunities to build expertise in this area throughout the two-year program.

Didactic Program in Dietetics (Option II): The mission of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Texas Christian 1

University (TCU) is to support the missions of University, College and Department by providing a preeminent academic curriculum that prepares students to be scientifically competent, accountable, and ethically responsible citizens who are prepared for supervised practice and/or graduate school and advancing as self-educating dietetics professionals who will become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in the global community.

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) combines coursework emphasizing the core knowledge of the RD (communications, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, research, food, nutrition, management, and health care systems). The NTDT curriculum includes human nutrition, food science, food and culture, community nutrition, food systems management, medical nutrition therapy, and nutrition research. These courses are based on a solid science and math background, which include general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, psychology, sociology, economics, and elementary statistics. Upon successful program completion, students earn DPD verification. This program prepares students for a Dietetic Internship and/or post-graduate studies, and a successful professional nutrition and dietetics career.

Eligibility and Program Prerequisites: Students must complete an application process and be accepted into the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) or the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Eligibility for admission to the CP or the DPD is based on successful completion of at least 60 semester hours with a minimum Nutrition grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale), an Associated Requirements GPA of at least 2.75, 45 semester hours of required prerequisites and major courses specified in the TCU Undergraduate Studies Bulletin, 200 documented hours of practical experience in food or nutrition, and the CP/DPD application packet. A formal application must be filed by February 1 for entry the following fall semester. Applicants are notified of provisional acceptance by April 15. Materials and directions for application to the CP or the DPD are available online from the Department of Nutritional Sciences website (www.nutrition.tcu.edu).

Once accepted into the TCU CP or DPD, a student’s continuation in the program is contingent upon attainment of a strong academic record and successful completion of the program sequence. As stated in the TCU CP and DPD Policies and Procedures, students must attain a minimum Nutrition GPA of 3.0, attain a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the Associated Requirements, and earn a grade of “C-” or better in all Nutrition courses and all Associated Requirements for the duration of the program. DPD students must accumulate a total of 500 hours of documented experience in food or nutrition in order to receive DPD Verification and to graduate from the DPD.

Courses which must be completed by the fall of the student's entrance into the TCU Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) or the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) include:

CHEM 10113 General Chemistry I 3 NTDT 10003 Contemporary Issues in Nutrition 3CHEM 10123/10122 General Chemistry Lecture and Lab

5 NTDT 10103 Food Preparation Lecture and Lab 3

CHEM 30123 Organic Chemistry 3 NTDT 20403 Nutrition 3BIOL 20214 Physiology Lecture and Lab 4 NTDT 21163 Food and Culture 3BIOL 20234 Microbiology Lecture and Lab 4 NTDT 30123 Nutrition Throughout the Lifecycle 3PSYC 10213 General Psychologyor PSYC 20233 Basic Leadership Skills

3 NTDT 30331 Medical Terminology 1

It is preferred that the following courses also be completed prior to enrollment in the CP or the DPD:

ECON 10223 Microeconomicsor ECON 10233 Macroeconomics

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MANA 30653 Survey of Management 3MATH 10043 Elementary Statistics 3MARK 30653 Principles of Marketing 3SOCI 20213 Sociology 3

Program Costs: Costs for tuition and university fees are available through the TCU Office of Admissions or the TCU Financial Services office. More detailed costs for students are outlined in the CP Student Handbook (~$1,000-$1,500) and the DPD Student Handbook (~$1,000), and include items such as textbooks, lab fees, photocopying, school and office

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supplies, lab coat, professional dues and insurance, and travel expenses to CP supervised practice sites.

Students are responsible for their own transportation. CP students are required to travel to healthcare, foodservice and community facilities in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex (up to 45 miles one way). Prior to beginning program courses, a medical release form must be on file for all CP and DPD students. In addition, all students accepted into the CP or DPD are required to have current CPR certification, a current Food Handler’s card, drug screening, criminal background check, a recent negative TB test, and proof of immunizations.

Selection Criteria: Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of the nutrition faculty and nutrition professionals. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. Students will be selected on the basis of:

a. Cumulative Nutrition GPA (3.0 minimum)b. Associated Requirements GPA (2.75 minimum)c. Evaluation of documented food and nutrition work and volunteer experiences (200 hours minimum)d. Program prerequisites completede. Completed application form (word-processed preferred)f. Evaluation of handwritten personal letter and typed statement of goalsg. Evaluation of 3 Letters of Recommendationh. Results of the student interview with the selection committee

Final approval for admission to the program will be contingent upon the recommendation of the nutritional sciences faculty. All application materials become the property of the Texas Christian University Nutritional Sciences Department. All applicants will be notified of their admission status no later than April 15th. Applicants who are conditionally accepted will be required to pass a background check by April 30th. The student is responsible for the $45 cost of the background check.

Application Components:

1. Handwritten personal letter of application (Include how academic and personal background influenced the decision to apply for the CP and/or DPD.)

2. Typed statement of personal and professional goals 3. Typed completed application form 4. One copy of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended5. Three written recommendations should be requested by the student from teachers/employment supervisors. TCU

Nutritional Sciences faculty should not be used for reference.6. Completed GPA calculation sheet7. Documented food and nutrition work and volunteer experience log

Application and Letters of Recommendation should be submitted to the Annie Richardson Bass Building, Suite 1201 or mailed to the Department of Nutritional Sciences P.O. Box 298600, Fort Worth TX 76129 before February 1st. Incomplete or late application packets will NOT be considered.

NON-DISCRIMINATION:

Texas Christian University does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, or veteran status.

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Application Form

Texas Christian UniversityP.O. Box 298600

Fort Worth, TX 76129(817) 257-7309

Fax (817) 257-5849

For which accredited program are you applying? (You may choose one or both programs.)

Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)

I. Personal Data

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ (First) (Middle) (Last)

Present Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________(Number & Street) (City, State, Zip) (Area Code & Tel. No.)

Permanent Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________(If different from above) (Number & Street) (City, State, Zip) (Area Code & Tel. No.)

Date of Birth: Day __________________________ Month __________________________ Year ___________________________________

Name of person to contact in an emergency: _________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Number & Street) (City, State, Zip) (Area Code & Tel. No.)

Mother’s Maiden Name: _________________________________________

To which address should the notification letter be sent? (Please check one.) Permanent Address Present Address

II. Education

High SchoolCity & State

DatesAttended GPA

Rank/%Rank

Date ofGraduation

College orUniversity City & State

DatesAttended GPA

# HoursCompleted

Degree(s)Received/or

Expected& Dates

SAT or ACT Score __________ Nutrition GPA __________ Associated Requirements GPA __________ TCU Cumulative GPA ___________(Courses from all colleges/universities applied to your degree should be included in the Nutrition and Associated Requirements GPAs).Complete the GPA calculation sheet and also record the grades you received in the courses listed below:

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_____ General Chemistry I _____ Survey of Management_____ General Chemistry II _____ Microeconomics or Macroeconomics_____ Organic Chemistry _____ Contemporary Issues in Nutrition_____ Physiology _____ Food Preparation_____ Microbiology _____ Nutrition_____ General Psychology or Basic Leadership Skills _____ Food and Culture _____ Elementary Statistics _____ Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle _____ Principles of Marketing _____ Medical Terminology

_____ Sociology

III. Academic Plan

List (a) current courses and (b) courses to be completed before entering the Texas Christian University Coordinated Program in Dietetics or the Didactic Program in Dietetics. (Not on official transcript.)

a. Current Courses

Course # Course Title Cr. Hrs. College/University

b. Courses to be Completed Prior to Entering the Coordinated Program in Dietetics or the Didactic Program in Dietetics

Course # Course Title Cr. Hrs. College/University Semester Planned to Complete

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IV. List Campus and Community Involvement (resume optional)

V. Work and/or Volunteer Experience

List all work experience, including types of work and dates. Summer experience is to be included.

Company/Organization Job Title Duties and Responsibilities

VI. Letters of Recommendation

Complete the information about the individuals who will write your letters of recommendation.

Name Title Physical address and email address Phone # Include Area Code

Include the completed 1) Food and Nutrition Experience Log and 2) GPA calculation sheet available at www.nutrition.tcu.edu with CP/DPD Application.

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